This question is missing the passage. I've found it online. It is the following:
In Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic story “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor avenges himself on Fortunato. He lures Fortunato into a vault underneath his home, promising him a sample of wine said to be Amontillado. There, he chains Fortunato to a wall and begins walling him in with bricks. Read the excerpt from Poe’s story, Then, answer the question(s).
(1) It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close. I had completed the eighth, the ninth and the tenth tier. I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in. I struggled with its weight; I placed it partially in its destined position. But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head. It was succeeded by a sad voice, which I had difficulty in recognizing as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said—
(2) “Ha! ha! ha! —he! he! he! —a very good joke, indeed —an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo —he! he! he! —over our wine —he! he! he!”
(3) “The Amontillado!” I said.
(4) “He! he! he! He! he! he!—yes, the Amontillado. But is it not getting late? Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo, the Lady Fortunato and the rest? Let us be gone.”
(5) “Yes,” I said, “let us be gone.”
(6) “For the love of God, Montresor!”
(7) “Yes,” I said, “for the love of God!”
Answer:
The dialogue in paragraph 2 suggests that:
a. He has become hysterical and has gone into denial.
Explanation:
The paragraphs have been numbered in the passage. Let's single out paragraph 2 and analyze it:
(2) “Ha! ha! ha! —he! he! he! —a very good joke, indeed —an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo —he! he! he! —over our wine —he! he! he!”
This is not a moment for Fortunato to be laughing. He is about to die chained to wall, with no chances of escaping. We can assume this a hysterical laughter caused by his strong emotions and mixed feelings of rage and fear. Notice that he also acts as if Montresor will unchain him, as if it is all a joke. He is in denial of the horrendous situation he is in, unwilling to accept his fate. Therefore, the best option is a. He has become hysterical and has gone into denial.
